You can’t go wrong with a beautiful long dress, especially when attending a more formal affair. However, the main struggle is finding the right shoes to match.
Not all footwear goes with a mid-to-floor-length frock, so you must be careful when choosing appropriate shoes for long dresses.
But don’t worry; we have all you need to help you find the right form of footwear that can elevate your overall look and style when wearing a longer dress.
Shoes For Long Dresses: Complete Your Look
Before we dive into what types of shoes you should consider with your look, let’s look at some of the different kinds of long dresses you can choose from:
Ballgown
Various dresses may be classified as a ‘ballgown,’ but they all maintain the same style. The long dress fits the body tightly around the waist before it flares out at the hips and falls to the floor.
A ballgown won’t often come with sleeves, but you can dress it up with petticoats for a more formal effect.
Maxi dress
One of the most popular styles of long dress is the maxi dress. Particularly great for summertime and casual events, this dress is loose and flowing with a full skirt that reaches your feet.
The neckline and sleeves can vary depending on the designer and pattern, but they are all particularly great when you want some breathing room.
Midi dress
A midi dress has very similar features to a maxi dress, however the main difference is the length.
Instead of cascading down the body and reaching the feet like a maxi dress, a midi dress will often finish above the ankles but below the knees.
You can choose from many hem, sleeve, and neckline variations to have the perfect style.
Column dress
If you’re not a fan of figure-hugging dresses, then you should definitely opt for the column style. This particular frock is designed to sit off the body rather than on it.
It will fit around the chest and hang down with a straight drop to the floor. This dress is great for formal events and maternity wear when you don’t want to show off your bump just yet.
Kaftan
A kaftan is another loose-fitting dress that originates from Persia. While Arab men and women typically wear it, other cultures are starting to embrace this style.
It features a wide outset and is designed using a single piece of fabric, so it is light and keeps you cool during the warmer months.
The length can vary, but the traditional style will go down to your ankles.
Mermaid dress
Many of the above styles are loose and don’t hug the body. However, a mermaid dress is just the opposite. It sits tightly on most of the body, including the waist and hips, and then flows out towards the feet.
A mermaid dress offers a unique look and design compared to other long frocks, and that’s why it has become a popular choice among brides.
Understanding Dress Length and Shoe Proportions
There isn’t just one type of long dress; there are a few variations, the main ones being ankle-length, floor-length, and maxi.
Due to this, not all shoes for long dresses can be fit for every length.
Therefore, you need to understand how dress length impacts shoe selection for the ultimate look:
Ankle-length dresses
Ankle-length dresses are exactly what they sound like. They fall just above your ankle and can be worn on any occasion. The type of shoes you wear with this dress will depend on the event.
For example, sandals and ballet flats will work if you want a more casual look. However, opt for heels and strappy sandals to elongate the legs when attending a more formal affair.
Just ensure you choose a pair that maintains a balanced silhouette and doesn’t awkwardly cut off your legs.
Floor-length dresses
It’s not often you’d wear a floor-length dress on the day-to-day, so they fit perfectly when attending a formal event such as a wedding or gala.
Even though the dress covers your feet, choosing the right pair of shoes for a polished look is still important.
For example, high heels will help lift the dress slightly off the floor to give you good posture and a form of elegance.
Similarly, you can opt for closed-toe pumps and strappy heels to maintain an elongated appearance.
As a rule of thumb, ensure that the hem of the dress only skims the ground when wearing heels to prevent you from tripping.
Maxi dresses
Maxi dresses are a middle-ground between the two lengths mentioned above. They can be anywhere between the ankle and slightly grazing the floor.
These dresses tend to give off a bit of a bohemian vibe and are, therefore, used for casual events.
For example, you can wear flat sandals or flip-flops if you are just around the house or heading down to the beach.
If you want to add a bit of height to your look or dress up your style, opt for wedge sandals and platforms.
The main goal of a maxi dress is to offer comfort, so you want to balance your choice of shoes to meet this.
Elevating Elegance: Heels and Stilettos
You can never say a dress is incomplete when wearing short or long heels.
And long dresses are exceptionally great with wedged heels or stilettos.
Not only do they create a graceful and elongated silhouette and emphasize your legs when they are on display, but they also add glamor to your look.
Keeping it Comfortable: Wedges and Platform Shoes
Not everyone is made for heels, so if you still want the added height and appeal with more comfort and stability, you should match wedges or platform shoes with your long dress.
Bohemian Vibes: Sandals and Ankle Boots
You don’t always need the additional height with long dresses, especially if you’re attending a more casual event.
Sandals and ankle boots provide you with a more free-spirited aesthetic and add a touch of boho chic to the ensemble.
The Charm of Flats: Ballerinas and Mules
Ballerinas and mules are the most versatile flat shoes for long dresses. You keep it casual but maintain a chic look at the same time.
It may appear like you’re giving off a more relaxed and effortless vibe, but you will still no doubt look fabulous in this footwear.
Occasion Matters: Formal Events and Casual Outings
The type of shoes you choose to wear sometimes isn’t down to the dress you’re wearing, but the occasion you’re attending.
If you’re heading to a black tie event or formal occasion, you should most likely opt for heels or shoes that are a bit higher.
Sandals and other forms of flats will provide a more casual vibe but keep the look light and elegant at the same time.
Coordinating Colors and Materials
Not only does the color of the shoes you choose to wear with a long dress matter, but so does the material the shoes are made of.
Matching shoe color
You can never go wrong with matching the color of your shoes to a long dress, mainly because it offers a more sophisticated and balanced look.
For example, if you want to wear a white dress in the height of summer, you will look harmonious in a matching pair of white sandals.
Sometimes, you can wear the same color footwear, but it might be a few shades darker or lighter. The appearance will offer a deeper level of style, but you’ll maintain a sophisticated overall look.
Contrasting shoe color
Sometimes, you can mix and match the colors between your long dress and shoes. When you have opted for a long dress that doesn’t stand out too much, you might want to add a pop of color in the form of your shoes.
This will bring attention to your feet and help make your outfit appear more exciting.
You can also use the power of the color wheel and opt for complementary colors for a more visually appealing contrast.
Shoe material
The material you choose for your shoes is usually a personal choice as long as you stick to the color scheme above.
However, one rule you must abide by is not matching the material of your outfit to your footwear. Instead, your shoes are better off matching your accessories like your bag.
Consideration of Dress Details
Something many people mull over when choosing shoes for long dresses is the details, such as embellishments, patterns, and slits.
Embellishments
Many dresses come with embellishments, from sequins and rhinestones to lace and intricate beadwork.
If your dress sparkles, you’ll want to tone the shoe element down to ensure it doesn’t compete for attention. Opt for neutral colors and no added embellishments or patterns.
When lace and beadwork are involved, you’ll want a pair of shoes that match the dress’s femininity. Examples could be strappy sandals or heels with a lace effect similar to your frock.
Patterns
You can’t go wrong with a beautiful pattern on a long dress, but you need to be careful when choosing the perfect footwear to go with it.
Floral patterns often come with bright and cheerful colors, so you want to ensure your shoes match this look. For example, if you have a pink floral dress with white flowers, you can opt for pink or white shoes.
Similarly, other patterns, such as stripes or spots, can make deciding which shoe to opt for challenging. As a rule of thumb, always choose a pair of shoes that are a color included in the pattern. For example, choose black or white footwear if you have black and white stripes on the dress.
Slits
Not everyone loves a slit, but they can completely transform a dress and bring attention to your legs. However, there isn’t just one type of shoe that goes with slits.
For example, some dresses have slits a little higher up than others. These offer a more dramatic and attention-grabbing look, so opt for heels or stilettos that complement your legs. Smaller slits might be better off with flatter shoes as they appear more subtly.
Accessories and Shoe Pairings
Accessories play a vital role in any outfit. Apparel such as jewelry and bags can help enhance your shoe-dress pairing and polish your overall look.
Jewelry
People often match jewelry to their outfits but don’t consider pairing it with their footwear. If you want to wear a necklace, pair of earrings, bracelets, or rings, you might want to consider your shoes first.
Jewelry most commonly comes in gold and silver, so you want shoes that match or perfectly contrast the tones.
Similarly, if you want to opt for statement jewelry, you should wear eye-catching shoes but with a simple dress. It works the other way around, too. Opt for simple, more delicate shoes and accessories if you have a highly patterned or embellished dress.
Bags
Matching bags and shoes can really complete a long dress look. If you want them to be the same color, we suggest the dress has a separate shade.
Contrasting bags and shoes can be more difficult as the options are endless. However, we think the best thing is to ensure your accessories complement each other on the color wheel and stick to the same pattern so as not to overwhelm your outfit.
The size of the bag compared to the shoes matters as well. If you are wearing a maxi bag, then choose more subtle shoes.
If you want a smaller clutch bag, you can put on chunkier heels that attract more attention.
Confidence in Choices
While we have offered you many tips above, the best thing to do is feel confident in your choice. Therefore, we recommend experimenting with various shoe options and styles until you find the perfect combination for you.
Not everyone will have the same preference, so you should be able to express your own individuality through your shoes for long dresses.
Conclusion
Choosing the right shoes for long dresses can make or break a look. We have put together this guide to help you explore a wide range of shoe options, helping you find the right ones that align with your style and the occasion you’ll be attending.
Have fun assembling your look and confidently step out in style by creating harmonious shoe-dress ensembles.
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